The Lair of the Father

As previously mentioned, you should not explore Bahamut's domain until you've reached a respectable level. 36—for Golbez, at the very least—is the recommended minimum. On top of that, pay attention to the foes you fight, and how much MP you spend defeating them. You may want to run from those who take too much of your Hit and Magic Points to be worthwhile. After all, when you ultimately encounter the foes you cannot run away from, you'll need to be in good shape!

When you enter B1, go straight south to find a Treasure Chest, then return to the fork in the road, and face east. Instead of taking the obvious southern route, you can walk through the northeast-most point of the wall directly in front of you. This will take you to a second Chest. From there, return to the fork, and start making your way southeast.

Once you pass through the door to B2, you've no choice but to head northwest. Open the first Chest you see, then go straight east, ignoring the path leading north. Crack open the second Treasure Chest for an Ice Shield. Now, you have two options: depart from the Lair of the Father, record your progress, and return here, or simply charge ahead. If you choose the latter, take the northward passage you previously ignored.

Against your will, you're forced to fight a ferocious Malboro. Make the beast sluggish with Slow, fortify your party with multiple casts of Protect, and ignore the majority of the status effects it inflicts upon you. Repeatedly cast Firaga on the plant-based menace, and use Curaga to keep your whole party healthy. Eventually, it will wither.

Instead of immediately proceeding, you may want to leave the Lair and save your progress yet again. You may also want to recover your HP and MP at the Crystal Palace, despite its being quite a distance away. If you're wondering why, another Malboro waits in B3.

When you're ready, take the stairs that lay just north of the first Malboro battle, enter B3, and head south. You'll get into the aforementioned fight, and the strategy for overcoming the foe is identical—Slow, Protect, Firaga, and Curaga. It's not over yet! There's yet another Malboro waiting for you. Retreat and recover if you must, then return to B3 and continue trekking toward the southwest. Fight the final sharp-toothed plant, and you'll be able to walk up to Bahamut. Now that you know what has happened to him, leave the Lair of the Father once more, and return to the Crystal Palace.